ACL Tears End Seasons for Two ACC Play Makers

Both Florida State and Maryland have received some terrible news with regards to an offensive playmaker. Maryland’s starting quarterback Perry Hills and Florida State’s starting running back Chris Thompson suffered ACL tears last week effectively ending their season. The two losses come as huge blows to their respective teams, but one of these two programs is in better shape to weather the storm.

The loss of Thompson hurts FSU, but it is far from a crippling injury. Thompson was the Seminoles featured back up until this point in the season, but they have a very good second option in James Wilder Jr. who has run for 369 yards and seven touchdowns this season. In fact, Wilder is averaging six yards a carry. Having Wilder will help the Seminoles greatly in dealing with Thompson’s injury. Maryland isn’t so lucky.

The Terrapins started the season with a lack of depth at quarterback. Last year’s starter, Danny O’Brien, transferred to Wisconsin and his expected replacement, C.J. Brown, suffered a torn ACL in the preseason. Hills was the third option and losing him really hurts Maryland. It is not yet clear how the Terrapins will replace Hills. Head Coach Randy Edsall may turn to either Devin Burns or Caleb Rowe.

When Hills went down against North Carolina State on Saturday, both Burns and Rowe went into the game to replace him. In limited playing time Rowe completed 2-of-2 pass attempts for 50 yards and Burns completed 3-of-4 pass attempts for 47 yards. Neither of them threw a touchdown or an interception.

Hills’ injury may have caused Maryland’s chances at postseason play to dwindle down to zero. No program is good enough to win with their fourth-string quarterback. When the news of these two players came out it really hurt their respective programs. The ACC has lost two playmakers, but Maryland is worse for wear because of it.